The natives are very black, strong, and well-limbed
people, having great round heads, their hair naturally curled and
short, which they shave into several forms, and dye it also of
divers colours--viz., red, white, and yellow.
They have broad round
faces, with great bottle-noses, yet agreeable enough till they
disfigure them by painting, and by wearing great things through
their noses as big as a man's thumb, and about four inches long.
These are run clear through both nostrils, one end coming out by one
cheek-bone, and the other end against the other; and their noses so
stretched that only a small slip of them appears about the ornament.
They have also great holes in their ears, wherein they wear such
stuff as in their noses. They are very dexterous, active fellows in
their proas, which are very ingeniously built. They are narrow and
long, with outriggers on one side, the head and stern higher than
the rest, and carved into many devices--viz., some fowl, fish, or a
man's head painted or carved; and though it is but rudely done, yet
the resemblance appears plainly, and shows an ingenious fancy. But
with what instruments they make their proas or carved work I know
not, for they seem to be utterly ignorant of iron. They have very
neat paddles, with which they manage their proas dexterously, and
make great way through the water. Their weapons are chiefly lances,
swords and slings, and some bows and arrows.
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